Pope Francis loves stopping in to say hello to our Mother, and invites us to do the same.
Pope Francis has a specific invitation for this feast of the Assumption: "On this day dedicated to Our Lady, I urge those who have the opportunity to visit a Marian shrine to venerate our heavenly Mother."
The Pope is dedicated to this form of devotion. For example, before and after his trips, he stops in to see Our Lady at the Basilica of St. Mary Major.
In mentioning the idea after praying the midday Angelus this August 15, he suggested two particular images in that church:
Finally, the Holy Father made another appeal for peace, particularly in Ukraine:
